Injured By Imports, Chapter 2
Just over a week ago I blogged about a dangerous imported product for children – a baby bassinet that allegedly killed two infants. Now the nightmare continues with a stroller that amputates fingertips. And where do you suppose it was manufactured? You guessed it – China.
The Maclaren stroller, sold by Target and Babies “R” Us was recalled today after not one, not two, but a whopping 15 reports of children placing their fingers in the hinge, resulting in 12 reports of children’s fingertips amputated by this “fingertrap.” Apparently, when the stroller is unfolded and locked into place, a child’s fingertip can get caught in the hinge and get cut off. Can you imagine being the one to unfold a stroller and hear the anguished cry of your child’s excruciating pain? As a parent, it makes me shudder to even think about it.
So the manufacturers in China come up with a way to manufacture a cheap stroller while adhering to what are virtually non-existent safety standards, and it takes twelve amputations for the Consumer Product Safety Commission to recall this product. No surprise here. I sound like a broken record when I once again ask: When is the government going to finally crack down on imports?
Please see the full Associated Press article below:
Strollers recalled for fingertip amputation hazard
By NATASHA T. METZLER
Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) – About a million Maclaren strollers sold by Target and Babies "R" Us were recalled Monday, after 12 reports of children having their fingertips amputated by a hinge mechanism.
The recall includes all nine models of single and double umbrella Maclaren strollers, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, which announced the recall after an investigation.
The amputation risk occurs when a child's finger is placed in the hinge mechanism of a stroller while it is being unfolded. When the opened stroller locks into place, it can cut off the tip of the child's finger.
The recall includes the following stroller models: Volo, Triumph, Quest Sport, Quest Mod, Techno XT, TechnoXLR, Twin Triumph, Twin Techno and Easy Traveller. They have been sold at Babies "R" Us, Target and other stores around the country since 1999. Prices for the strollers ranged from $100 to $360.
The company is offering free hinge covers to prevent future incidents. The covers should not be removed unless the stroller is being cleaned, according to the CPSC.
"Our message to parents, grandparents and all caregivers is to make sure that you stop using these strollers until you get the repair kit, which zips the covers in place," said CPSC spokeswoman Patty Davis.
The strollers were manufactured in China and distributed by Maclaren USA Inc of South Norwalk, Conn. The company could not immediately be reached by phone for comment and its Web site was offline.
©2009 Angel Reyes
www.ReyesLaw.com
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